Facts About Iceland

Icelandic Journalists Enjoy Much Freedom - or Rather Enjoyed...

Reporters without Borders is "an organization which fights for press freedom and denounces the violations of the human rights all over the world."

According to a new report from the organization, journalists from Iceland and Norway enjoy the highest level of freedom in the whole world after measuring the level of press freedom in 169 countries!

Take a look at their website: http://www.rsf.org/

November 2009:
Sadly we have fallen down to the 9th seat in the Press Freedom Index for 2009. Not good at all.

In Iceland the Men Work Longer Hours than Women

A recent report from Statistics Iceland shows that every week Icelandic men work on average ten hours more than Icelandic women.

While the average Icelander is estimated to work for 43.2 hours per week, the men work 47.6 hours a week and the women 37.4 hours. The period checked was the third quarter of 2007 (July, August and September).

Photo: A group of Icelandic tour guides in the little village of Stokkseyri, South Iceland.

Electricity and socket type

The voltage is 220V. Frequency is 50Hz. The most common type of socket head is the “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts. However, you can also use a normal two rounded pins socket type as the plug accommodates both.

Thumbs up for Icelandic Women

Would you believe that there are more women than men attending the Icelandic universities. In 2004 36,5% were men and 63,5% women!

Iceland Flag - Blue, White and Red

The beautiful blue, red and white Iceland flag has the Scandinavian cross as its central design.

We have blue color for the mountains, white for ice and glaciers and red for fire - volcanic activity. Appropriate, don't you think?

It wasn't until on December 1, 1918 that this flag got full recognition. At that time Iceland was under the king of Denmark, although it became a separate kingdom in 1918.

When we finally got our independence, on June 17, 1944, the flag was slightly changed and the blue color got a bit darker than before.

It is said that originally the blue and white color were related to the traditional colors of clothing that people wore in Iceland in the 19th century.

The Icelandic Horse - a Unique Breed

The Icelandic horse - Icelandic pony

This small and quite wonderful pony was brought to Iceland with the Vikings over a thousand years ago. The breed remains pure because of the country's isolation.

The Icelandic horse has an amazing variety of colors and is known for its five gaits, the most popular being the "tölt". 

Iceland Northern Lights

Don't miss the northern lights in Iceland if you are travelling during the winter time.

On a clear dark night, preferably near midnight, go away from the lights of the city or the towns. Look towards the sky and chances are you will see a spectacular show of the Northern Lights or aurora borealis.

This phenomenon is one of the finest sights in nature. Iceland is among the places where the lights are most frequently seen and many visitors come to Iceland mainly to see this spectacular phenomena.There are even special evening tours available for those interested in the northern lights in Iceland!

Where are the trees?

Why aren't there any trees in Iceland? Well, this might be going too far. The fact is we do have trees, only not that many.

When the early settlers came more than thousand years ago, the country was covered with trees from montain to shore. Over the centuries the trees disappeared, were used for timber and firewood. Also, sheep, hard winters and volcanic ash prevented new trees from taking root.

Today, Iceland plants more trees per head of population than any other nation in the world, certainly a fact about Iceland we are very proud of.

National flower of Iceland

In 2004 the Mountain Avens (Dryas Octopetala) was chosen as the Iceland's National Flower after a nationwide public opinion poll. This simple but beautiful flower grows in dry places where snow melts early and also on gravel and rocky barrens.

Alþingi - Althing

The Icelandic parliament Alþingi (Althing) is the world's oldest national assembly, still existing today. It was established in 930, in Þingvellir, thereby marking the beginning of an independent nation.

This is undeniably one of the most important facts about Iceland that our children learn in school.